Title - Kochi : KMRL says only preparatory works entrusted with DMRC

Terms of engagement still under preparation

KMRL has informed the Kerala High Court that the State government has only entrusted the preparatory works of Kochi Metro Rail Project with the DMRC and the project work has not been given to the DMRC so far.

In an affidavit filed in response to a writ petition, Elias George, Managing Director, KMRL said that to determine the role of the DMRC in the Kochi Metro Rail Project work, terms of engagement were under preparation.

The terms of engagement would be finalized by Secretary Union Urban Development Ministry in consultation with the Government of Kerala and the Delhi government.

The affidavit said that the petitioner had mixed up and confused the preparatory work, which were basically undertaken by DMRC on behalf of the State government with the works of actual Kochi Metro project, which was yet to commence.

The purpose of undertaking the preparatory work was to ensure smoother traffic flow in the city and avoid congestion.

Therefore, it would not be not appropriate to confuse the preparatory works now being undertaken by DMRC with the main metro project.

The affidavit said that a meeting attended by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Chief Secretary Delhi, Urban Development Secretary,and Director, DMRC it was agreed that DMRC would extend all possible support and participate in the Kochi metro works without affecting DMRC’s Delhi works.

MEETING

District Collector P. I. Sheikh Pareed has asked revenue authorities to comply with the deadline set for land acquisition in connection with the Kochi Metro Rail project.

He was presiding over a meeting on land acquisition held here on Tuesday.

It had been decided that the land at M.G. Road and the southern side of Banerjee Road should be handed over to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) by Thursday and the South Railway Station road by February 15.

The preparatory works in connection with the widening of Banerjee Road is likely to start by next week. A high- level meeting will be conducted shortly to plan diversion of traffic during the construction.

DMRC had submitted a revised estimate for preparatory works and this will be forwarded to the State government for renewed administrative sanction.

The cost of the land as well as the building owned by the Corporation of Kochi along the South railway station road which is to be affected by the construction of metro project is being evaluated. Once this is fixed, Kochi Metro Rail Limited will hold discussions with corporation authorities for finalization of the terms.

 The laying of boundary stones has been completed for all stations and viaducts except Edappally station. The 4(1) notification for seven stations partially and three viaducts has already been published.

The proposal for the remaining 15 stations and five viaducts will be submitted to the State government by February 15 for administrative sanction. DMRC has already issued work order of the Muttam Yard.

S Chandrababu, General Manager (Civil), KMRL, K.P. Mohandas Pillai, Deputy Collector (L.A), and Joseph K.J., JGM, DMRC, were among the officials who attended the meeting.